The 2017-18 Minnesota team represents a rarity among high-major basketball programs. It has all five starters back from a 24-win squad that qualified for last season's NCAA Tournament.
That probably is why the Golden Gophers start as the 15th-ranked team in the country, and why they are a big favorite in their Friday night season opener against South Carolina Upstate at Williams Arena in Minneapolis.
Expectations for Minnesota have turned 180 degrees from this time last November. They were coming off a 23-loss season, and coach Richard Pitino's seat had flames rising from it, as there were also multiple off-court legal issues.